So, you want to become a doula? Here's how to get started... by Madeline Jones guest blogger...

So, You Want to Be a Birth Doula? Here’s How to Get Started:
Delving into the world of birth work can be daunting. Between receiving training, attending
births, and networking in your community, the process is lengthy and often overwhelming.
Navigating the doula-sphere alone leads many students to frustration, especially in today’s
complicated social environments and complex healthcare landscape.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Catholic Doula Training is designed to ease the tension of
finding mentors, Christ-centered teachings, and connecting with like-minded doulas. Our
approach helps students in discovering their strengths, identifying their ideal clients, and setting
up successful birth work businesses.
What is a Doula?
“Doula” is a Greek translation of the Aramaic word “doulos.” Within Jewish communities and
the early Jesus-movements following the resurrection, this term referred to “servants of the
Lord.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, was the first recorded doula. She supported her cousin,
Elizabeth, throughout her pregnancy and the postpartum period, thereafter. Mary provided
Elizabeth with physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort, enabling Elizabeth to have a
wholesome and wholistic birthing experience.
Modern doulas emerged in the 1970’s, being born out of a counter-culture in America that
emphasized a mistrust in big pharma and modern medicine. Although doulas agree on the
necessity of medical care, birth should not be handled as a pathology, but rather a natural and
beautiful process that is life-affirming to mothers and babies.
Doulas provide physical, emotional and spiritual care to birthing mothers. By endowing mothers
with confidence, our clients are less likely to require interventions, encouraging natural,
spontaneous births.
Benefits of Doula Training
Although some doulas forgo training, we highly encourage it within our program to train and
certify. This allows all of our students to be equipped with the latest medical literature, birthing
practices, and trends in healthcare. Our program improves efficiency in emotional, physical, and
spiritual support, encouraging more doulas to be present in the labor space. Our advocacy and
presence lowers interventions such as epidurals and c-sections, enabling a relaxing birthing
environment for mother, babies and families.
Benefits of Our Course
The Catholic Doula Training stands out for several reasons:
- Comprehensive Education: Our curriculum covers everything from conception, to the
basics of childbirth, to advanced doula techniques, ensuring that you are well-prepared
for any birthing situation.
- Christ-Centered Approach: We integrate faith-based teachings, encouraging you to
provide spiritual support that aligns with your values and those of your clients.
- Mentorship and Community: You won’t be alone in this journey. Our program connects
you with experienced mentors and a community of like minded students, doulas,
instructors and allied health professionals.
- Practical Experiences: Through our virtual meet-ups and lectures, you will receive
guidance and feedback in real time, allowing you to apply what you learned in real life
settings.
- Business Training: We help you identify your strengths, find your ideal clients, and build
a successful business- the doula way.

What Your Training Includes:
Our integrative course includes:
- Comfort in Birth Method 3rd Edition by Julie Larsen: This book is included in your cost,
and contains vital information on doula support. Throughout the course, the Comfort in
Birth Method will be used for assignments, lectures, and practical experience.
We sometimes include a rebozo -  please check with the link you click on when enrolling. A rebozo is a Mexican shawl and tool we use during labor and birth. 
- A Google Classroom Enrollment Link: We provide a virtual classroom platform for
students around the country to interact, complete assignments, and reach our instructors.
This enables real-time feedback, a continuously updating stream of content, and easily
accessible course materials.
- Alternative Pain Management: The Catholic Doula Training includes lectures on
alternative pain management measures, ensuring that you are able to provide optimum
care to your clients before, during and after labor. These measures include rebozo
movements, aromatherapy and herbs, different birthing positions, hydrotherapy (such as
birthing pools and showers), and birth affirmations.
- Love Languages: We discuss how the love languages of your clients may be integrated
into their birth plans, allowing for maximum comfort during their labors.
- Interview Training: We offer practical training for doulas, including interview
preparation. This is a crucial step in the business process, as it is often the first
opportunity for potential clients to meet you. Our program ensures you feel confident in
advocating for your services and securing new clients.

- Website Creation- Creating a website is a requirement for the course. We will provide
you with resources and guidance as you pick the perfect name for your business,
formulate your unique services, and create materials for your clients.
- Client Logging: Our program ensures that you are able to competently keep logs of
birthing experiences and appointments, easing client communication.
Certification Requirements of the Super Fast Track: 
1. Completion of five case studies
2. Final exam
3. Resource list containing 10-20 references and links
4. Two client interviews
5. Create 5 client hand-outs (choose from assignments in modules)
6. Special Spirituality of Labor assignment
7. Skills checklist, including comfort and rebozo (or choose skills from modules) 
8. Make a birth plan for a mother
Then you’re finished!
Enroll here if you are ready! 
Labor Day Weekend Schedule
Since this is the Super Fast Track, the classes will run quickly, over the span of a weekend. These
include:
- Thursday Evening August 29th: Orientation/Welcome and Module One
- Friday August 31st: First day of class, running from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
- September 1st: Second day of class, running from noon to 5:00 pm
- September 2nd: Enjoy Labor Day with your family! I will be available on Sept. 2nd for
one office hour over zoom (time to be decided).
Choosing to become a doula is a significant and rewarding choice. The Catholic Doula Training
is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you are well-prepared to provide
exceptional care and support to mothers and families. For a limited time, you can join our
program at a discounted rate. If you apply by Labor Day weekend, your fees will be significantly
decreased via our online store front. Join us and become part of a community dedicated to
compassionate, faith-based birth work.
Enroll at this link right here! Our Early bird special of $497 regular or $599 bonus St. Gemma Package ends August 14th. Fast-Track enroll page! All prices will go up $100 after early bird ends. Thank you. 
The extra bonus $599 includes mentoring sessions and a doula circle that meets up seasonally. 

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